Railroad grade crossing signal



AAllg. 22, 1939. E, R, ANDERSON 2,170,467

RAILROAD GRADE CROSSING-SIGNAL Filed Aug. 25, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

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,1^ @iwfl, Q? EZJnde/rson/ INVENTOR 3 v ATTO RNEYS ug- 22, 1939- E. R.ANDERSON RAILROAD GRADE CROSSING SIGNAL Filed Aug. 25, 1938 2Sheets-Sheet 2 ralf ullllmlnc R O T N E v m V\| 7 1.a 3 yE16 fm, 2| 7 aL ATTRNEYS Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITED STATES naar PATENT OFFHCEClaims.

present invention to provide a new and improved 1'11 grade crossingsignaling means which although type comprising relatively few parts, isnevertheless rugged in structure and dependable in service and which isactuable by railroad trains for indicating approach of said trainstoward the grade crossing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple butdependable grade crossing signaling means of the type referred toincluding a plurality of pendulum actuated flags, positioned withinhousings located adjacent the rade intersection, said flags beingactuable by a train approaching said crossing'.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a grade crossingsignaling device of the referred to, characterized by including meansfor retracting the signaling flags thereof Within the housing subsequentto passage of the train beyond the grade intersection.

One of the important advantages of the novel 1 signaling device`according to the present invention, is that it is actuated, in a majo-rpart at least, by gravity and accordingly does not necessitate expensiveelectrical ror pneumatic equipment for its operation, `which wouldnecessitate increasing initial costs as well as cost of npr-keep.

Another advantage in the novel grade crossing signaling device accordingto the present invention, is that the elements thereof are of relativelysimple but rugged-construction, thereby suiting the device4 to therequirements of mass production, with accompanying economiesl ofmanufacture. f

Among the more important features of the f novel signaling deviceaccording to the instant invention areY its dependability during useresultant from its simplicity of constructionand arrangement lofstructural elements, whereby jamming oi' the mechanism is at leastlargely I precluded; its adaptability for use with signaling flags ofvarious types, particularly those formed of relatively exible material,such as sheet rubber or the like; and its efcacy as a grade signalingdevice,V that is to say, its inherent advantageousness resultant fromlocation of the device directly in the line of vision of personscrossing the grade intersection. c

ther objects, advantages and features of the device according to thepresent invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art duringthe course of the following description.

`Regarded in certain of its broader aspects, the present inventioncomprises a freely rotatable shaft mounted beneath a railroad road-bedat a grade intersection, flags carried on ends of said shaft, a pendulumassociated with said shaft for, upon occasion, imparting swinging motionor rotation in alternate directions thereto, a housing for said ags,means for holding said flags Within said housings and said pendulum inother than equilibrium position, means actuable by a train approachingsaid grade crossing for causing release of said ags, whereby saidpendulum causes. said nags to move from within said housing to aposition exterior thereof with reciprocation of the flags While exposed,and means actuable by passage of said train over said crossing wherebysaid flags are returned within said housings and retained thereinsubject to subsequent operation as aforesaid.

In order to facilitate a fuller and more complete understanding of thepresent invention, a specific embodiment thereof will be hereinafterdescribed, it being clearly understood, however, that the illustratedembodiment is given solely by Way of example and is non-limitative uponthe scope of the present invention except as expressed in the subjoinedclaims.

Referring then to the drawings:

Figure 1 is substantially a top plan view of a railroad gradeintersection showing the novel signaling means according to the presentinvention in position of use, together with switch controlling meanstherefor, parts being broken away for clearness of illustration.

Figure 2 is substantially a vertical sectional view of VFigure 1, takenalong the line 2-2 thereof with the signals or flags shown in raisedposition.

Figure 3 is substantially a vertical sectional, view of Figure 2 withthe signal shown in retractedrposition Within the housing.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of Figure 2, taken alongthe line 33 thereof, showing the signal in extended position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view illustrating a portionof the shaft bearing, and

Figure 6 is essentially aschematio circuit diagram of the presentlypreferred embodiment of the instant invention.

Referring now especially to Figures 1 and 2, a grade crossing generallydesignated by the numeral lll, comprising a trac lane II, and railroadtracks l2, intersecting said traiilc lane, is provided at the place ofintersection with signaling means, generally designated by the numeralI3. The signaling means i3 comprises a shaft I4, extending transverselybeneath said railroad tracks I2, positioned within a hollowsubstantially tubular casing member I5 and essentially freely rotatablymounted in bearings I6 and Il mounted on walls of casings I8 and I S,respectively. The casings I8 and i9 are es,-

sentially box-like and are provided with openings 20 and 2| formed inthe top sides thereof and extending longitudinally along said casingtops substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the shaftI4.

Signaling flags 22 and 23, to be hereinafter described, are xedlymounts-d, by means including collars 24 and 25, upon end portions of theshaft I5, whereby said flags, upon occasion, can be moved through theslot-like openings 20 and 2I in the casings I8 and I9 and disposed inposition essentially perpendicular to the surface of the traillc lane II.

Referring now especially to Figures 2 and 3, it will be noted that theflag 23 comprises an essentially rectangular paddle-like member,generally designated by the numeral 3Q mounted at a place intermediatethe length but near an end thereof, on the shaft I4 by means including acollar 25 substantially as hereinbefore described. A notch 3I is formedin the distal free end of said member 30, substantially as shown inFigure 4. The end of the flag 23 nearest the shaft I4 carries a weight32 essentially ilxedly attached thereto and adapted to act, under theinfluence of gravity and momentum, as a pendulum, whereby said flag,upon occasion, can be moved into essentially vertical position androcked into other positions substantially4 as shown in phantom in Figure4.

It is to be understood that the flag 22 is substantially the same as theflag 23, being provided with a. weighted end portion 33 similar to andfunctioning in an analgous manner to the weighted end portion 32 of theflag 23, and that the flags 22 and 23 are disposed in a common planetogether with the shaft I4. It is to be noted however, that the flag 22is not provided with a notch in the free end thereof as is the flag 32hereinbefore described.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the instant invention,essentially free rotation ofthe shaft I4 is facilitated by the bearingsE6 and ll, one of which is illustrated in Figurey 5 and each of whichcomprises a U-shaped trough-like member adapte-d to, receive the endportion of the shaft I4 when positioned therein, substantially as shown.

The novel flag retention means for holding the flags within the housingand the pendulum in position other than equilibrium position, will nowbe described, reference being had particularly to Figures 3 and 4. Afirst-class lever 42, pivotally mounted and fulcrumed on the standard 4Iattached to a wall of the casing I9, is pivotally connected to the crossmember 42, attached to a third-class lever 43 pivotally mounted on thestandard 44 attached to the bottom of the casing I9 substantially asshown. A resilient spring-like member 45 attached to a casing wall andto the member 43 normally presses the member 43 against the stop 45 andthe member 40 against the stop 47, whereby said members and 43 aredisposed in essentially vertical position. Projecting latch elements 43and 49, mounted in the distal end portions of the members 40 and 43respectively, are adapted to engage with the notch 3l formed in thedistal end portion of the flag 23, when said flag is disposed inhorizontal position whereby, through engagement of one of said latchelements with said notch, said flag can be retained in essentiallyhorizontal position whereby it is substantially completely within thecasing I9 and the weight 32 is in a non-equilibruim position. It will beunderstood of course, that when the flag 23 is retracted within thecasing i9, the flag 22 is retracted within the casingv 43.

When the device isV in use, the flags are normally in retracted positionwithin the` casing: the manner in which the latch elements aredisengaged from the flags whereby the pendulums are permitted to movesaid flags into essentially vertical position will now be described. Avertically positioned third-class lever member 50, pivotally mounted inthe standard 5I attached to the casing I9, is Vconnected to an endportion of the member 40 whereby movement of said member 5@ can resultin movement of the member 4B, with concomitant movement of the member43, whereby the latch elements 48 and 49 are disengaged from endportions of the flag, the positions of the various levers being shown inphantom in Figure 4.

It will be noted that although the member 50 is directly connected onlyto the member 40, nevertheless, a flag engaged with either of the latchelements 48 or 49 would be disengaged therefrom by clockwise movement ofsaid member 5@ about its pivot point. Accordingly, the flag can bedisengaged and permitted to move from either one of its positions ofrest. The release lever 50 is actuated by means including a relativelystationary solenoid 52 acting upon a keeper 53 mounted on the levermember 50 whereby current passing through said solenoid causes clockwiserotative movement of the member 59 about its pivotal point therebyreleasing the flag 23 as aforesaid. The solenoid 52 is controlled by atrain approaching the grade intersection, as will be hereinafterdescribed.

The means for moving the flags into retracted position within thehousings and engaging same with the latch elements hereinbefore referredto, will now be described, reference being made particularly to Figures3, and 4. Relatively stationary solenoids 55 and 56 mounted Within thecasing ISand having cores 51 and` 58 respectively, are connected bymeans of cables 59 and 69 with the end portion of the shaft I 4substantially as shown. The cables 5S and 5!! normally hang freely anddo not interfere with rocking motion of the shaft I4, the cables beingheld in guide members 6l and 62 mounted within the casing,

and the cores 57 and 58 are normally pressed outwardly relative to thesolenoids by springs 53 and E4 respectively. When current' is passedthrough one of the solenoids 55 or E5, itwill be evident that the core5l or 58, as the case may be, will be drawn within the solenoid therebytensioning the cable 59 or 653 and exerting torque action upon the shaftI4, whereby the flags are moved into retracted position within thehousing and the notched end portion 3l of the flag 23 engaged with oneof the latch elements 48 or 4S. 1t will be noted that current passingthrough the solenoid 55 will cause engagement with the flag end portionwith the latch element 49: current passing through the solenoid 56 willcause engagement of the flag end portion with the latch element 48.

The manner in which current is supplied to the solenoids 52, 55 and 56whereby the device is operated and controlled, will now be described,reference being made particularly to Figure 6 of the drawings.

It is to be understood that railroad vehicles traveling on the railroadline crossing the intersection are provided with a suitable switch,actuating means extending from the left side thereof and adapted toactuate coi-operating electical switch members disposed adjacentleft-hand portions of the railroad road bed. Switches 16 and 1l,positioned adjacent left-hand portions of the railroad road bedgenerally designated by the numeral 12, are each connected in serieswith the solenoid 52 and a power source, such as batteries or the like,13. It will be noted that the switches 10 and 1I are positioned onopposite sides of the road bed and accordingly, irrespective of whichdirection vehicles travel over the railroad bed, one of the switches 1lior 1| will be positioned on the left-hand side of the bed and in alocation precedent to the intersection. In the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the distance between the railroad intersectionand the switch is adjusted whereby adequate warning of the approachingtrains is given to persons traversing the intersection. The solenoids 55and 56, which function to return the signaling means to rest position,are actuated by the switches and 16 respectively, with which they areconnected in series to the power source 13 substantially as shown in theschematic circuitdiagram, Figure 6. The switches 15 and 16 arepreferably positioned at the intersection or slightly beyond same,whereby the signaling means are not returned to rest position until thetrain or the like has passed the intersection.

It will be noted that referring now to Figure 6, assuming a train ispassing from left to right along the road bed 12, the switch 16 will beactuated as the train approaches the intersection thereby releasing theflags and permitting same to rise and rock in the field of vision ofpersons traversing the intersection whereby said persons will benotified of the trains approach. When the train passes the intersection,the switch 15 will be actuated thereby causing current to pass throughthe solenoid 55, whereby the notched end portion 2| of the ilag 23 iscaused to engage with the latch elements 49. Similarly, assuming a trainis moving on the road bed 12 from right toward the left thereof asillustrated in Figure 6, the switch 1I would be actuated prior to thetrains arrival at the intersection and subsequently thereto, the switch16 would be actuated whereby current passing into the solenoid 56 wouldmove the flags into retracted position of rest.

It will be evident that current flows through the solenoids 52, 55 and56 only when the device is in actual use. Accordingly, the currentdrained from the power source 13 is relatively small, thereby resultingin economy of operation From the foregoing it will be apparent that atrain approaching the intersection irrespective of its direction oftravel will actuate either the switch 10 or 1l whereby the latchelements 48 or 49, as the case may be, will be disengaged from thesignal flag 36 thereby permitting said signal ilag to move intoessentially vertical position by action of gravity upon the weighted endportion 32. Inasmuch as the flag is pivoted and the end portion 32 isweighted, the latter in effect becomes a pendulum and through forcesincluding momentum and gravity, the exposed flag is waved or oscillated.When the train passes the intersection, one of the switches 15 or 16 isactuated whereby current is transmitted to one of thevsolenoids 55 or5.6 as the case may be, thereby exerting a pull upon the connectinglines 59, causing rotation of a shaft I4 with resultant movement of thesignal ilag into concealed position and engagement of a latch elementwith one of the flags as hereinabove described.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the instant invention, theflags y22 and 23 are made of relatively flexible but resilient material,such as heavy sheet rubber or the like, whereby a vehicle accidentallystriking against extended flags will not damage same.

It is to be understood that this improvement is capable of extendedapplication and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawings norto the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes andmodifications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of theinvention nor exceed the scope thereof as eX- pressed in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed` as new is:

l. A railroad grade-crossing signaling device of the type describedcomprising a casing positioned beneath and extending transverselyrelative to the railroad bed at the grade-crossing; `a shaft, freelyrotatably mounted within said casing; paddle-shaped signal flags mountedon said shaft and rotatable therewith; housings for at least largelyconcealing said flags except when in essentially vertical position;gravity and momentum controlled means for alternately rotating saidshaft in opposite directions and swinging said signal flags whileexposed; means comprising latch elements for holding said flags inconcealed positions within said housings; means actuated by a trainapproaching said gradecrossing for releasing said flags from engagementwith said latch elements, and means actuated by passage of a train. oversaid gradecrossing for returning said flags to substantially horizontalposition within said housing and engaging same with said latch elements.

2. A railroad grade-crossing signaling device of the type describedcomprising a casing positioned beneath and extending transverselyrelative to the railroad bed at the grade-crossing; a shaft, freelyrotatably mounted within said casing; paddle-shaped signal flags mountedon said shaft and rotatable therewith; housings for at least largelyconcealing said flags when in essentially horizontal position butexposing same when in other positions; gravity and momentum controlledmeansA for alternately rotating said shaft in opposite directions andswinging said signal flags while exposed; said means comprising apendulum mounted on said shaft and having a rest position correspondingto essentially Vertical position of said flags; means for holding saidflags in concealed positions within said housings; said means comprisingspring pressed latch elements engaging, upon occasion, with part of saidof the type described comprising a casing positioned beneath andextending transversely relative to the railroad bed at thegrade-crossing; a shaft, freely rotatably mounted Within said casing;paddle-shaped signal ags mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith;housings for at least largely concealing said flags when in essentiallyhorizontal position but exposing same when in other positions; gravityand momentum controlled means for alternately rotating said shaft inopposite directions and swinging said signal flags while] exposed;means. comprising latch elements for holding said flags in concealedpositions within said housings; means actuated by a train approachingsaid grade-crossing for releasing said flags from engagement with saidlatch elements; said means comprising a switch operable by said train, apower source and a. solenoid operably connected by said switch', amagnetically sensitive member and a lever system connected to said latchelements and cooperating with said solenoid whereby operation of saidswitch causes releasing motion of said latch elements, permitting saidgravity and momentum` controlled means to move said flags into exposedposition and rock saine; and means actuated by passage of a train o-versaid grade-crossing for returning said flags to substantially horizontalposition within said housing and engaging same with said latch elements.

4. A railroad grade-crossing signaling device ol the type describedcomprising a casing positioned beneath and extending transverselyrelative to the railroad bed at the grade-crossing; a shaft, freelyrotatably mounted within said casing; paddle-shaped signal flags mountedon said shaft and rotatable therewith; housings for at least largelyconcealing said flags when in essentially horizontal position butexposing same when in other positions; gravity and momentum controlledmeans for alternately rotating said shaft in opposite directions andswinging said signal ila-gs while exposed, said means comprising apendulum mounted on said shaft and having a rest position correspondingtoessentially vertical position of said flags; means for holding saidflags in concealed positions within said housings; said means comprisingspring pressed latch elements engaging, upon occasion, with parts ofsaid ags; means actuated by a train approaching said grade-crossing forreleasing said flags from engagement with said latch elements, saidmeans comprising a first switch operable by said train, a source ofenergy and a first solenoid operably connected by said switch, amagnetically sensitive member and a lever system, connected to saidlatch elements and cooperating with said first solenoid wherebyoperation of said switch causes releasing motion of said latch elements,permitting said gravity and momentum controlled means to move said flagsinto exposed position and rock same; and means actuated by passage of atrain over said grade crossing for returning said ags to substantiallyhorizontal position Within said housing and engaging same With saidlatch elements, said means comprising a second switch operable by saidtrain, a source of energy, a second solenoid, a spring pressed core forsaid solenoid normally held adjacent but exterior thereof, and aconnector attached to said core and to parts of said shaft wherebyoperation of said switch causes movement of said core to a positioninterior of said second solenoid with application of torque force to androtation of said shaft.

5. A railroad grade-crossing signal comprising a freely rotatablymounted shaft extending transversely relative to and beneath therailroad bed at the grade-crossing; signal flags mounted on said shaftand rotatable therewith; housings for at least largely concealing saidflags when in other than essentially vertical position; gravity andmomentum controlled means for oscillating said shaft and swinging saidilags in exposed position; latches 'for holding said flags in concealedposition within said housings; means actuated by an approaching trainfor releasing said latches; and means actuated by passage of a trainover said grade crossing for returning said ags to concealed positionand engaging same with said latch elements.

EDWARD R. ANDERSON.

